Pick an interest

Boasting 53 percent expert terrain, Vail offers black-diamond-seekers a paradise of challenges, ranging from iconic leg burners, like Riva or Prima, to cornice entrances on Blue Sky Basin’s Lover’s Leap and steep groomers on former women’s World Cup run, International, to variable conditions in Mongolia and Siberia Bowl. It’s all there and it’s all ripe for the taking thanks to Vail’s mind- blowing size.

Vail expert terrain

To access as much of Vail’s expert terrain as possible, it’s important to get around quickly; you’ll need to ski Vail like a local−especially on a powder day. If the snow is flying, you’ll find most local experts starting their day off at Golden Peak’s Riva Bahn. From the top of the lift, they’ll head to Northwoods Express lift and take a couple runs on North and South Rim, which features moguls, trees and some flowy drops under the lift. From the top of Northwoods Express, they’ll drop into the main Back Bowls catwalk, Sleepytime, and follow that into Tea Cup Bowl, staying high on skier’s right traverse into Morning Thunder. From there, they’ll drop into Marmot Valley and head up on the Skyline Express to get the goods in Blue Sky Basin: Vail’s ultimate expert powder playground.